Before Your Tour...

Visitors under 18 must have a release signed by a parent/legal guardian. If minors will be unaccompanied by parent/guardian, download and print the Minor Release, and bring the signed release for your tour. No other release will be accepted. The release cannot be signed by a grandparent or other adult. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

All tours are rain or shine.

Photos may be taken the day of the tour at no charge, once the visitor has signed the Visitor Release.

The education building is wheelchair accessible; however the gravel and mulched paths of the tour are not wheel-chair friendly. If you have mobility issues, call (919) 542-4684 when you purchase your ticket so we can provide an alternative for you.

Levra Leopard

Date of Birth

6/26/1990

Date of Death

12/24/2007

History

A typical first impression of Levra Leopard was snootiness. Here was a leopard that was possibly the only representative of her kind (the only known descendant of the extinct Barbary Leopard), she reserved her attention for those she felt deserved it.

Sometimes it would take a rookie volunteer 6 months to get sense of acknowledgement from this regal duchess, and this might only be a half-grunt blown out one side of her mouth.

This was by no means the extent of Levras nature. The initial impression of superiority changed- particularly with her adoptive parents and closest volunteers (aka her personal attendants). From their frequent visits, she began to look for company. She could certainly hold a grudge when her attendants neglected to come by regularly, but they were easily reprimanded with the lovely backside of a leopard on the top platform. However, the typical greeting down by the fence was more common, with rolls exposing her less-graceful (and sometimes very round) belly.

Levra, like most leopards, loved the smell of flowers , especially daisies, great big Gerber daisies. She held them so delicately between her paws and just smashed them up against her nose. In her last years, Levra regained her svelte leopard form and continued to connect with visitors with that air of grace matured by glimpses of more earthly habits- naps in the sun on her denbox or hammock, and the adoption of a favorite fleece blanket. It was these lapses from perfect grace that made her a "Lady Divine".

Carolina Tiger Rescue lost Levra on Christmas Eve, 2007. She had been receiving medication for her symptoms, but at 17, the signs were dire. When she failed to respond to treatment, staff made the decision to euthanize. She had masses in her abdomen and lungs, most likely the result of cancer. The loss of Levra was that much more difficult because of her tremendous depth of character. No one who visited could fail to be touched by the story and grace of this special leopard.